Mariah Madill and Nolan Fidyk

I really enjoyed seeing Armstrong’s War by Colleen Murphy on the final day of the run. This play resonated on a number of levels with me, as it features a man injured in Afghanistan and his ‘reader’, a volunteer who comes to read to him from time to time. The first book Halley (Mariah Madill) gives Michael (Nolan Fidyk in a solid and nuanced performance) is The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane. Michael ends up reading this book three times, each time appreciating it even more. Unfortunately, he damages the book, but Halley understands why. Halley has her own story as well, involving a car accident which paralyzed her and, unfortunately, took her father’s life. I turns out that Michael was injured in Afghanistan and has returned home with some PTSD, especially in regards to a friend, Robbie who was catastrophically injured in the war and is in a nursing home for the rest of his life. The play was well-directed by Morgan Gadd (who directed and designed the set!), who keeps the action moving forward throughout the play. Stage-managed by Andrea Gregg (who also designed the lighting), with Artistic Director Clayton Jevne constructing the set. I found this play quite moving. Now closed.

Next season at Theatre Inconnu features the usual series of four plays, featuring H20 by Jane Martin, The Comeuppance by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, The Sound Inside by Adam Rapp, and finally, for Christmas, in December Russian Troll Farm: A Workplace Comedy by Sarah Gancher. Support non-professional local theatre and get out to Theatre Inconnu!